Friday, December 16, 2011

A watch like this one; made in 1857 by George R. Frodsham, Greys In Road, London, England.

It is replete with golden chain, watch fob and 2 keys.

Most watches are spring driven. This watch is chain driven.

A key winds the pocket watch.

And then, one day, the watch stopped working

We took it to the best Jewellers. None could fix it because it is chain driven. On our trip to Switzerland the watchmaker said that he would try. He placed it in his vault and we went off to Egypt. Upon our return, we picked up our watch. He was very sorry but he couldn't fix it. Why not take it to England, he suggested.

But wait, a qualified person was found in Boston, USA.

Yes, he would try. After all, he was an Englishman and he was a certified member of the "Jewellers Board of Trade".

An appraisal of said pocket watch followed by said person, hereinafter unnamed. Appraisal $20,000.00 Cost to repair, $3,500.00. Return of our watch, NOT REPAIRED $300.00.

What would you have done?

The person received $3,500.00 from us and we received our gold pocket watch, repaired.

A year later, while on a visit to London, we stopped in at Christie's Auction House, King Street, St. James, London.

We were ushered into a private office. An expert in solid gold pocket watches admired our watch. We then showed him our certified appraisal. The expert was speechless. Excused himself to confer with one of his colleagues.

We were left alone in his office for a very long time. Were we going to be wealthy?

The two charming gentlemen were shaking their heads. Shaking their heads in disbelief at the $3,500.00 repair fee. Christie's had recently repaired the "Tower of London" clock for 80 pounds, about $120 US dollars at the time.

They were incredulous that a reputable Jeweller and one of their own countrymen had taken advantage of us.

Christie's provided us with a Letter stating: "We refer to our meeting yesterday and now confirm that your watch is a gold hunter lever pocket watch with Liverpool jewelling numbered to movement and case 11927 by George R. Frodsman, Greys In Road, London."

"We would estimate this watch to fetch 300 to 500 (under $1,000) English Pounds at auction and hope this has been of assistance."

Monday, December 5, 2011

Look what pretty dried roses. They will keep you happy all winter long.

Roses are the easiest flowers to dry. To ensure that they keep their vibrant colors place roses in a little water (only the stems not the rose heads) the night before. The next day is when they go into a container. Slowly pour sand over the flowers until they are fully covered. Place in dry and warm place for a week. Pour sand off slowly.

Our friends Christine and Steven drying Hollyhocks for the first time using sand from the Home Improvement store. It is less expensive than the white silica type and actually gives better results.

Can you tell which Hollyhocks have been dried? It's those in the top left corner. Make sure that the sand is also dry or flowers will turn brown.

Dried Hollyhocks look fragile, they are actually quite sturdy. You can glue them into Christmas wreaths. But remember that they must be kept inside.

Pansies dry quickly and easily in sand. However, these pansies, along with all the other little flowers, have been pressed in old books. No need for a fancy flower press.

Think of all the special Christmas decorations you can make yourself.

For a little extra inspiration you might want to order (Amazon) this very special book by Barbara Milo Ohrbach entitled "The Scented Room". It contains easy-to-follow instructions. Ms. Ohrbach has written several other fine books but this one remains my favorite.

You will find easy instructions and recipes for Floral Water, Wet and Dry Potpourri, Lavender Bottles, Scented Pillows, Pomanders, Wreaths and much more. My personal favorites are the sachets made from antique floral ribbons.

Where to buy my new book

About Me

Art and Alfalfa

Here I share with you my obsession with Italian Renaissance Ceramics. I decided that painting them would not be so difficult. So I set about learning. My blog is about living the simple country life, tales from our travels and, of course, my hand painted ceramics.

Click on Etsy for Beautiful ceramics in my Etsy Shop

Treasure of the week

longing for the green to come back

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Yes, it was a wonderful collaboration, click on picture for full story